In Praise of Wood-Frame Houses
This weekend’s cover story in the real estate section of the Times was an appreciation of wood-frame houses, particularly those found in Brooklyn and Manhattan neighborhoods dominated by brownstones and brick buildings. All of the story’s Brooklyn examples are in Clinton Hill and Fort Greene, and owners of frames in those neighborhoods (like neighborhood mainstays…
This weekend’s cover story in the real estate section of the Times was an appreciation of wood-frame houses, particularly those found in Brooklyn and Manhattan neighborhoods dominated by brownstones and brick buildings. All of the story’s Brooklyn examples are in Clinton Hill and Fort Greene, and owners of frames in those neighborhoods (like neighborhood mainstays Mary Cole and DK Holland) say they prize their homes for their uniqueness as well as the country-in-the-city lifestyles the houses offer. One of the examples highlighted was 329 Adelphi Street (at right), which was a House of the Day twice: First when it was listed for $950,000 in June, and then in September when the asking had been shaved down to $795,000. The house, which needs a lot of renovation, sold quickly after its price had been lowered, according to broker Roslyn Huebener. The broker says that “most people who want wood frame will do whatever they can to get them. There’s that cult of wood-frame buyers. She also says that many wood-frames sell at higher per-square-foot prices than their larger brownstone neighbors because they’re in such limited supply.
Forgotten by Time and Termites [NY Times]
> 357 7th Street
That was a cute house. I remember it was on the market a while back for some ridiculous sum. It does not surprise me that it was torn down, and suspect it will be replaced with something fugly. That’s a rather unfortunate stretch of houses right there.
Yes, happy to see frames get some love, although I agree with rob I could have sone without a few of the featured owners. I remember in the boom years on this site that many posters were quite derogatory of frames as “tinderboxes” and the like. Glad to see that has died down.
On a sad note, I noticed yesterday that a slope frame I really liked — 357 7th Street — was completely torn down for new construction, although nothing’s been built yet. It used to have a nice natural wood exterior, then its siding was stained a light gray. Now it’s gone. Anyone know the story? Was it a wreck inside?
Adelphi street does NOT need a million dollars to renovate it. Yes, it’s small, the foundation was in good shape as were most of the joists. The roof might need total rafter replacement though.
$500,000 MAX
In the you-can’t-win department, when we were discussing the Adelphi Street house I was berated and accused of total ignorance when I wrote that I did not think that it needed a million dollars worth of rehabilation costs. It is after all, a rather small house.
Last week when a large 4-story unrenovated brownstone was being discussed, I opined that it may need $500,000 in improvements if it was, as I suspected, a wreck. Again I was accused of knowing nothing and needing a “realty check” -a cute typo that I suspect was unintentional.
Oh well.
i think one of the biggest concerns about frame houses is that over the years they tend to get stinky whereas brownstones tend to get musty. anyone else notice that?
*rob*
rob, clapboard refers to the long boards they are sheathed with. They can also be shingle houses, which Adelphi street is currently.
Neither names reference either a veneral disease or Herpes zoster.
OH! the one funny thing when reading the article for me was when they were referring to wood frame houses as clapboard houses. for some reason i was always under the impression that clapboard house was a derogatory term for houses lol
*rob*
I think these houses are great. Brownstones require certain kinds of upkeep concerns, frames another, but an old house is an old house, and they share many period similarities. Who doesn’t love those beautiful wide plank floors, and the open spaces? The house with the little cottage behind is a treasure indeed, also the one with the multiple car garage and dripping wisteria. The possibilities are endless for what you can do with those buildings, and the gardens are more interesting than your basic brownstone.
Dave is right, there are quite a few frames in Bed Stuy, many just as nice as these. There aren’t quite as many here in Crown Heights, but we have them. Too many are covered in materials other than clapboard, and are treasures waiting to be uncovered before it’s too late. I really like the Wallabout area frames, as well as the South Slope. They constitute neighborhoods, not just fodder for development.
i read this article, it was an interesting article, about the houses themselves. as USUAL the people being discussed in the article made me wanna scratch out my corneas with acorns.
*rob*